Opening/closing mechanism

Abstract

An opening/closing mechanism enabling a first housing and a second housing to open to a so-called fully flat state includes a fixed plate that is fixed to a first housing, a moving plate that is fixed to a second housing, an intermediate member that is slidably coupled to the fixed plate by way of a first slide mechanism, a slide member that is slidably coupled to the intermediate member by way of a second slide mechanism, and a raising/lowering mechanism that raises/lowers the moving plate relative to the slide member.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An opening/closing mechanism comprising:
 a fixed plate that is fixed to a first housing; 
 a moving plate that is fixed to a second housing; 
 an intermediate member that is slidably coupled to the fixed plate by way of a first slide mechanism; 
 a slide member that is slidably coupled to the intermediate member by way of a second slide mechanism; and 
 a raising/lowering mechanism that raises/lowers the moving plate relative to the slide member. 
 
     
     
       2. The opening/closing mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the raising/lowering mechanism includes an arm having one end part rotatably connected to the slide member and another end part rotatably connected to the moving plate, wherein the moving plate is configured to be raised/lowered by the arm being rotated less than or equal to 90 degrees. 
     
     
       3. The opening/closing mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a shaking prevention mechanism including
 a first cam part that is provided toward the other end part of the arm, 
 a second cam part that is arranged facing the first cam part, and 
 a stopper provided in the slide member, 
 
 wherein a movement of the moving plate relative to the slide member in a closing direction is restricted by an engagement of the first cam part and the second cam part, and a movement in an opening direction is restricted by an engagement of a part of the raising/lowering mechanism and the stopper, 
 wherein a displacement of the moving plate relative to the slide member is restricted when an upper surface of the first housing and an upper surface of the second housing become flush as the moving plate is lowered. 
 
     
     
       4. The opening/closing mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shaking prevention mechanism that restricts displacement of the moving plate relative to the slide member when an upper surface of the first housing and an upper surface of the second housing become flush as the moving plate is lowered. 
 
     
     
       5. The opening/closing mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an elastic urging part that is provided between the fixed plate and the slide member.